drawing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drawing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to the act of creating an image or illustration, or in a metaphorical sense to indicate attracting or pulling something towards oneself. Example: "She spent the afternoon drawing a beautiful landscape in her sketchbook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turkmenistan has expressed interest in exporting to the EU via a trans-Caspian pipeline and to India and Pakistan across Afghanistan, but the plans are yet to get off the drawing board.

The Guardian

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award-winning Guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The Guardian

This has the effect of making the figurative drawing more abstract, paradoxically, neutralising the shock effect of the splayed limbs, the proffered genitalia, the immediate sexual context of artist and model.

The Guardian - Arts

First-round opponent: [17] Sara Errani (ITA) A few years ago, drawing Errani on her preferred clay in the first round of the French Open would have you pre-packing your bags.

The Guardian - Sport

First-round opponent: [WC] Manon Arcangioli (FRA) Drawing a home-country wild card in a Grand Slam is about as good as it gets, and Arcangioli, a 20-year-old ranked No275, is a break.

The Guardian - Sport

Fear of retaliation and death threats from radical Islamists have forced some cartoonists into exile, according to the report, Drawing the line: cartoonists under threat.

The Guardian

Farghadani fell foul of the Iranian authorities after meeting with the families of political prisoners and drawing a cartoon depicting a group of Iranian parliamentarians with faces of animals.

The Guardian

As RTE ringmaster Bill O'Herlihy tut-tutted in a fatherly and faux po-faced fashion, pundit Eamon Dunphy got to work with his new toy, an electronic pen with which he could enhance and illustrate his analysis by drawing white lines, circles, arrows and squiggles on a monitor after pausing the VT with an often aggressive roar of "Stop it there!" at some unseen flunkie in the production suite.

The Guardian - Sport

Government scientists, drawing on data from Nagasaki and Hiroshima, used to visit schools to check thyroids and radioactivity levels, recalled Peterson, another advocate.

The Guardian - Film

As the Lib Dem leader faces a growing revolt after this week's violent protest against fee rises, internal documents show the party was drawing up proposals for coalition negotiations which contrasted sharply with Clegg's public pronouncements.

The Guardian

Ehh, they're the supporters of a team of no-marks from Slovenia, whose side was drawing with your expensively assembled Premier League outfit until two minutes ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drawing" in the context of creating art, specify the medium (e.g., "drawing with charcoal", "drawing in pencil") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "drawing" interchangeably with "painting". "Drawing" typically involves lines and shading, while "painting" involves applying color to a surface. Though both are visual arts, they involve different techniques and materials.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drawing" is as a present participle or gerund, functioning as a verb in continuous tenses (e.g., "She is drawing") or as a noun (e.g., "Drawing is her hobby")." Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Travel

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "drawing" is a versatile word with multiple applications, ranging from artistic representation to abstract concepts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and sees frequent use across varied contexts, including News & Media, Sports, and Opinion pieces. The expert rating reflects its robust grammatical standing and consistent usage in authoritative sources. Whether referring to the physical act of creating art or the metaphorical act of "drawing" conclusions, its adaptable nature makes it a valuable component of the English language. From a linguistic perspective it is a very common word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depicting

Focuses specifically on visual representation, similar to "drawing" in its artistic sense.

attracting attention

Highlights the act of gaining interest, similar to "drawing" attention.

drawing near

Emphasizes the act of approaching, similar to "drawing" near to something.

attracting

Emphasizes the action of pulling something in, mirroring "drawing" in contexts of attraction or engagement.

drawing closer

Focuses on decreasing distance, similar to "drawing" closer to something.

concluding

Highlights the act of bringing something to an end, akin to "drawing" a line under something or "drawing" a conclusion.

delineating

Stresses the act of outlining or defining, similar to "drawing" boundaries or distinctions.

pulling

Emphasizes the physical act of drawing or extracting something.

extracting

Highlights the act of taking something out, similar to "drawing" information or resources.

drafting

Focuses on creating a preliminary version, similar to "drawing" up plans or documents.

FAQs

How can I use "drawing" in a sentence?

"Drawing" can be used as a verb (e.g., "She is drawing a portrait") or a noun (e.g., "The drawing is beautiful"). Its versatility allows it to fit in various contexts, from artistic creation to abstract concepts.

What are some synonyms for "drawing" when referring to art?

When referring to art, you can use synonyms like "sketching", "delineating", or "depicting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Sketching" implies a quick, informal drawing, while "depicting" suggests a more detailed representation.

What does it mean when someone says plans are "on the drawing board"?

When plans are "on the drawing board", it means they are still in the planning stage and have not yet been implemented. It implies that the idea is still being developed and refined.

Is it correct to use "drawing" to mean "attracting"?

Yes, "drawing" can be used to mean "attracting", especially when referring to attention or interest. For example, "The event is drawing a large crowd". Alternatives include "attracting attention" or "gaining interest".